Vanessa Maki with ten great psychological horror movie gems for your watch list…
The genuine terror that can be elicited from a good psychological horror film is top tier. Whether it be a film like The Shining (1980) where the madness builds and builds, the home invasion terror in The Strangers (2008), the psychologically grueling events of P2 (2007), or any of the other psychological horror films that have captured the hearts and minds (get the joke?) of horror fans across the board. Though, just like any subgenre, there are gems that don’t get discussed as consistently as they should.
Below are some psychological horror titles that you should check out if you’re a fan of the subgenre. Many of these aren’t as popular as say The Shining, Us (2019), Longlegs (2024) etc. Though, they still have something to offer, and popularity doesn’t necessarily matter in the long run. And you can always have favorites that aren’t as well-known. Keep reading if you want to see some horror films that you could throw on your watch list tonight…
The Brood (1979)
It has cult status now for very good reasons, and is one that many fans of David Cronenberg enjoy. The Brood follows a man who is dealing with single parenthood, his ex-wife who is in the psychiatric care of a controversial therapist, and a string of murders that leave everyone puzzled as to who could be committing them. It’s a very personal film for Cronenberg, and it shows through the narrative, especially in terms of divorce and dealing with children. And the personal aspects lend to the film.
The Brood isn’t necessarily a film to recommend to just any horror fan because it’s so weird and isn’t aiming to be mainstream in any degree. But for those who like strange Canadian horror films with body horror and a lot of psychological happenings, this one should absolutely be on your list. The third act will stress you out and fascinate you at the same time, which isn’t a bad viewing experience in this case.
Dead Ringers (1988)
Horror and or thriller films involving the medical field can be extraordinarily unsettling. Dead Ringers follows identical twins played by Jeremy Irons who are both gynecologists and have an unhealthy relationship with one another. The film goes from 0-100 as it carries on, and things only get worse for the relationship between the brothers, as well as the ones they form with others.
It’s another Cronenberg film, and it’s also not a film that’ll appeal to everyone, especially if people are expecting a bloodbath and nonstop violence. Dead Ringers takes its time fleshing out the twins and who they are to each other and as individuals. The psychological aspects of the film are heavy and there’s a lot of substance abuse, which might be hard for some folks to watch. So proceed with extreme caution with Dead Ringers because it might become a little upsetting with some of the themes. Overall, the performance from Jeremy Irons is great, especially as he’s balancing two different characters, and the ending is haunting.
Triangle (2009)
A successful psychological horror film is supposed to make you feel like you’re also unraveling with the characters, this film succeeds in that. Triangle follows a single mother whose boat trip with friends ends in a boat wreck, only for them to have to board a mysterious ship for safe harbor. The film isn’t remotely what it seems, and there’s a twist that’ll really knock you off your feet during the first watch.
Triangle makes you think one thing and then proves you wrong rather quickly. And the performance from Melissa George maintains that level of terror throughout. Near the end of the film, you’ll have that moment where everything really clicks and it’s shocking. All in all, Triangle is one of those late 2000s horror movies that people might have missed. But check it out now and see what you think.
Dread (2009)
A gross and grimy late 2000s horror film is always waiting for you somewhere. Dread follows three college students who are doing a study on people’s deepest fears, and it takes a very disturbing turn. The film is based on a ‘80s short story with the same name by Clive Barker and there’s more than enough to gross you out in this one. You might not think about meat the same way again Dread is one of those films that leaves you guessing just how far everything is going to go.
As soon as everyone’s trauma gets unpacked, it’s very clear that nothing good will come of that. The idea of people’s fears being utilized against them isn’t new in horror, obviously, but this film really cranks it up a notch. If you want something that’ll make you want to take a shower afterwards, watch Dread.
Would You Rather (2012)
A fun game turned into a death game is such a fun thing to do in a horror film. Would You Rather follows Iris (Brittany Snow), a desperate woman who goes to a mysterious dinner party to earn money to save her brothers’ life. Only for the dinner party to turn out to be more deadly and humiliating.
The performances across the board are part of what makes Would You Rather such a brutal watch. And Jeffrey Combs chews the scenery as the most cruel antagonist with way too much money. There’s a lot of social commentary regarding classism and the lengths people might go to not struggle anymore. Not to mention it’s also bloody, uncomfortable, and some scenes will make you squirm. Would You Rather is one of those films that you’ll throw on and feel empty by the end of it.
Last Shift (2014)
It’s one thing to stay late for a job you just got, but it’s another for the place you’re doing said job to be haunted. Last Shift follows Jessica (Juliana Harkavy), a rookie police officer who is working the last shift at a lone police station that happens to be haunted. The imagery throughout the film is pretty disturbing and genuinely scary, especially if you watch the film late at night in the dark.
Last Shift doesn’t waste its time trying to pretend nothing is going on, it throws its viewers headfirst into a nightmare that never ends. There are more than a few scenes that play tricks with your mind, and the grisly effects will make you squirm in your respective seating. Considering it’s mostly a single location film, it makes what they were able to do also quite impressive. Last Shift is perfect for a creepy night in which you are immersed in a wonderfully hellish nightmare.
The Invitation (2015)
A dinner party can go wrong in ways that are unspeakable sometimes, right? The Invitation follows Will (Logan Marshall-Green) who brings his girlfriend to a dinner party being hosted by his ex-wife. Though what starts as a bizarre night descends into something, Will never was prepared for. The tension that is built throughout this film until everything goes upside down is perfection. It makes you wonder if it’s all in Will’s mind and if he isn’t, what is actually happening in the house?
The Invitation happens to be another psychological horror-thriller that takes you for an extremely uncomfortable ride. Though instead of people being murdered right off the bat, the uncomfortable vibes are due to some of the characters and the backstory of Will and his ex-wife tragically losing their son. It’s absolutely worth waiting for that shift because once it happens, you’ll be holding your breath out of nervousness.
The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015)
It came before Longlegs and if you like Oz Perkins’ style then you might delight in this gem of a film. The Blackcoat’s Daughter follows several characters and is set during three timelines, and they come together in the end in a very startling way. This is absolutely a film that can be spoiled quite heavily, therefore it’s best to go into it without seeking spoilers about any of the characters. A first watch of The Blackcoat’s Daughter is more effective when you know virtually nothing about it.
The film is filled to the brim with dread and is very cold in atmosphere as well as the events that play out. Each performance from the main women absolutely lends to the film, especially Kiernan Shipka who has a tremendous presence throughout. If you’re wanting a film that’s so deeply heartbreaking for its characters, and offers absolutely no comfort, The Blackcoat’s Daughter might be the perfect one for you.
Unsane (2018)
It’s troublesome at times to watch a film where a woman is constantly questioned on whether she’s insane or not, but at least she’s able to fight back. Unsane follows Sawyer (Claire Foy), a woman who is being stalked, and accidentally checks herself into a psychiatric facility. The film heavily induces paranoia in the viewers because Sawyer is spiraling, but why? Is it solely because of the stalker?
Unsane might be a rightfully frustrating watch because when people fail to believe women in horror, bad things happen. The film creates an unpredictable atmosphere, especially when we are told who the stalker is. It’s incredibly scary and very real what happens to Sawyer throughout the film. And that might make the film a bit difficult to watch for those who have suffered because of a stalker.
Don’t Move (2024)
A serial killer who likes to temporarily paralyze his victims sounds like a true-crime story, doesn’t it? Don’t Move follows a woman named Iris (Kelsey Asbille) who has to race against the clock with a paralytic, given to her by a serial killer, coursing through her. It’s very much a survival horror-thriller, but is also very psychological as well. And the performances from both Asbille and Finn Wittrock help when Don’t Move falters a little bit.
The film might not be doing anything mind-blowing, but it doesn’t have to with the premise it has. A woman fighting for her life while a serial killer relentlessly pursues her is enough to keep your attention. Don’t Move has a few moments that’ll have you biting your nails because of the intensity, but also because Kelsey Asbille is really committing to the stress her character would be under. At the end of the day, it gives you exactly what it’s advertising, and that might be effective enough.
What are your favourite psychological horror movies? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Vanessa Maki
